From our perspective, light is our primary source of energy. When we receive the correct amount, our silver-green foliage shimmers healthily, and we have the strength to produce our magnificent pink flower spike. However, when placed in an area with insufficient light, our growth becomes weak and etiolated. Our leaves may turn an unusually dark green, and we lose our characteristic silvery banding. Most critically, we will lack the energy to bloom. Conversely, direct, harsh sunlight, especially through a window, is incredibly damaging. It acts like a magnifying glass, literally scorching our leaves, leaving behind crispy, brown patches or bleached, faded spots. This damage is permanent and weakens our overall system.
Water is life, but its management is crucial for our survival. Our central cup, or tank, must always hold fresh water. This is how we, as epiphytes, are designed to drink. If our cup runs dry for extended periods, we will show signs of severe thirst: our leaf tips and margins will turn brown and crispy, and our leaves may curl inward or droop pathetically. On the opposite extreme, while we enjoy moisture, our roots cannot tolerate being constantly soggy in waterlogged soil. This suffocates our root system, preventing oxygen uptake and leading to root rot. You will see our lower leaves turning soft, mushy, and brown at the base, and a general collapse of our structure may occur. Always keep the cup full but the soil lightly moist, not wet.
We hail from humid rainforests, and the dry air common in heated or air-conditioned homes is a constant struggle. Low humidity forces excessive moisture loss through our leaves (transpiration), leading to those same undesirable brown, crispy leaf tips. It also makes us more susceptible to pests like spider mites, who thrive in arid conditions. Regarding temperature, we are tropical beings. We thrive in consistent warmth. Exposure to cold drafts, sudden temperature drops, or temperatures below 12°C (55°F) causes significant stress. This can manifest as sudden leaf browning, a halt in growth, or leaves that become soft and dark green, almost as if they are bruised.
We are not heavy feeders, and our roots are sensitive to salt accumulation. Using hard tap water or over-fertilizing leads to a toxic build-up of minerals and salts in our soil and tank. This effectively "burns" our root tips and prevents proper water absorption. The signs are similar to underwatering: brown leaf tips and margins, but often accompanied by a white, crusty deposit on the soil surface or on our leaves. Furthermore, applying standard fertilizer directly into our soil or, worse, into our central cup at full strength, can cause severe chemical burns to our delicate tissues.
